All Who Hunger and Thirst ... Come to Me

"Jesus Calling" devotion asked us to laugh at ourselves and be joyful to God.  It was a day of laughter and tears as we rode the tap-tap to the 5-square mile community of Cite Soleil, the poorest slum area in the Western Hemisphere. Brunet, our tap-tap driver, skillfully navigates the vehicle through massive traffic jams, deep potholes and loud honking horns.  We arrive at Water Station #17 with many children running to meet us.  As soon as we step down off the tap-tap, children are like velcro on our bodies.  They cling on with all their might.  We say "Jezi renmen ou" (Jesus loves you) to each of them, hug them, sing to them and play hand games.  They are all smiling and very curious about our hair, glasses, hair bands, etc.  There are too many to count, all precious!

I go to help with the water distribution from the water truck.  Two people support the 4" round heavy hose, one person directs water into buckets (usually Kathryn) and others assist moving the filled buckets out of the way, setting them on top of heads of Haitians or carrying them to the shanties.  I will never look at a 5-gallon bucket in the same way again.  There are hundreds of them, each held by a person desperate for the water of life.  We actually go to three different water stations throughout the day.  The process is the same at each station, but the stops get progressively more crowded, noisy and chaotic, filled with children wanting to be hugged and people desperate for water. 

We go to the building site of the future Hope Church and School.  A large cross greets us.  The grounds are a dumping station of garbage and a public latrine.  Broken glass is everywhere.  Brunet leads the children in singing praises to God.  God is truly making something beautiful out of this destitute environment.

Another awesome adventure for the day was a visit to Haitian Initiative, a children's soccer program.  The children receive a daily meal and learn to play soccer.  Some of the most skilled players play in the Schwan's Cup International Soccer Tournament in Blaine, MN.  We watch the children enthusiastically do their warm-up exercises.  Afterwards, we graciously serve "Feed My Starving Children" food to the children.  They are so patient and polite!  What a humbling experience!  I was especially drawn to a 12-year-old boy named Jonslove.  We share many hugs, words of love and even dancing with the children.

We head back on the tap-tap through "rush" hour and home with very soiled, tired bodies.  We rinse feet and shoes off outside and then head in to the shower!  A Chipotle-style taco dinner awaited us. Yum!   Our evening devotion centered around God as the Potter forming beautiful creations out of clay.  We trust Him as He molds us and each of the precious Haitian people.  

Written by Marilyn